Mini thirty Vs. SKS

VT_Hunter1980 · 12-29-2005, 02:31 PM

I'm looking for something to be used primarily as a plinking/Traget rifle as well as a possibly SHTF gun. You can't beat 7.62x39 for economy, but is the mini thirty worth the cost over an SKS?

Paul L Mohr · 12-29-2005, 03:41 PM

I have had an SKS, it was ok at best. Some are better than others I guess, It's hit and miss. I haven not heard many good things about the mini .30 either. They are suposedly not very accurate.

I would look at one in a bolt action, it would be more accurate. Or a .223, you really can't beat the price of .223 ammo and it will shoot flatter than the 30 cal.

If you want cheap get a H&R handi rifle in .223. Inexpensive and accurate.

Paul

DennyF · 12-29-2005, 06:02 PM

There are, or were, some fairly good deals around on Romanian and Yugo SKSs, but I could never get past the looks of them things. So I found a very nice used Mini 30 some years ago and have never regretted it....and it's way purtier than an SKS.

Mine shoots Wolf milsurp ammo accurately enough to keep me happy. Only real drawback on the Ruger, is if you "need" hi-cap mags to keep a grinon your face. Factory ones are scarce and pricey, many of the after market ones aren't reliable. Mine works just fine with the several 5 rounders I have.

FastShootingCarts · 12-29-2005, 09:18 PM

A choice between the two? A Mini-30. It's a Ruger product, can't go wrong there. As far as hi-cap mag.'s, the internet is your friend.

whiskeysnoot · 12-30-2005, 07:18 AM

You need to split the price difference and seriously consider an AK-47. I have 2 SKSs and a Mini-14 that just sit in the safe since I got an AK.

Much lighter than the SKS and a little lighter than the Mini. Mags inexpensive, readily available, and reliable. The AK has a good trigger by military surplus standards. Unbreakable. Easily the most fun plinker to have and could make a fine SHTF gun.

Paul L Mohr · 12-30-2005, 08:09 AM

I had an AK and it was the biggest POS I ever owned. Trigger was HORRIBLE and it couldn't hit the broad side of barn from inside the barn! It did function perfectly though. I would take a SKS over an AK any day of the week. Maybe I just got a bad one though.

Paul

VT_Hunter1980 · 12-30-2005, 08:36 AM

Kind of what I've been hearing about SKS and AKs is that the quality is very inconsistant. You could get a great one or a POS depending on how your luck is running. I was thinking that the quality of the Mini might be more consistant. Is it still possible to find a Mini-thirty with a wood stock? I'm not a huge fan of synthetic.

Knightia · 12-30-2005, 09:02 AM

While i really like my rugers i wouldnt personaly get a mini 30 over a sks.

I payed a average of 100 dollars for mine& i use them a bit for plinking^& target shooting.

I think you can still get some of them for about150 dollars or less-

Whats that about 2 or 3 sks,s for the price of one mini ?

Im sure if we still didnt have the billy clitoons ban on chinese firearms& ammo in place& walmart bought sks,s in bulk they could be had for about 75 dollars a piece today for unissured 30.cal semi auto rifles with walmarts buying power.( lotsa luck with that ever happing right?

)

Mine shoot well enough(the one not as well as the other 2).I have never had one break & been using them for 13+ yrs now with many thousands of rounds of ammo thew at least the 2( the nicer looking one im saving from much use)

I have never had a problem with the few30 round mags i have used either with them.

But you can leave them stock& reload there 10 round factory mags real quick with stripper clips with a little practice.

I found out recently(some research on the net)the one i use/shoot the most is really a very early model soviet/chinese- with milled parts etc. Made in 1956-57 & still works great- tho not so pretty- it was 89 dollars before billys ban.

They will work just fine if the shtf to. I got 30.06&270.s etc if the shtf a little further out.

My mate even likes to shoot them some & she dosnt like rifles that have much of a kick to them.

Briman · 12-30-2005, 10:05 AM

The mini doesn't do anything better than the sks and is waaaaaaayyyyy overpriced. for the price of a mini, you could get a cherry Yugo SKS and and least 4000 rounds of ammo (if you can find ammo in bulk that is, 7.62x39 ammo is very scarce right now)

VT_Hunter1980 · 12-30-2005, 10:30 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Briman

The mini doesn't do anything better than the sks and is waaaaaaayyyyy overpriced. for the price of a mini, you could get a cherry Yugo SKS and and least 4000 rounds of ammo (if you can find ammo in bulk that is, 7.62x39 ammo is very scarce right now)

Yeah, I've noticed that most retailers are sold out of 7.62x39. What's the reason? High demand?